Men's Health: Tips for Staying on Top of Your Well-being

by Beacon Hospital Health Screening Centre

Health screening is a proactive strategy designed to uncover potential health issues before symptoms appear, enabling early intervention and more effective treatment. This comprehensive process includes various components:

  1. Physical Exams: These involve a comprehensive assessment by a healthcare provider to check for signs of illness or disease. The exam typically includes measuring vital signs like blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and respiratory rate, along with evaluating overall physical condition and conducting specific checks based on factors such as age, sex, and medical history.
  2. Lab Tests: These tests analyze blood, urine, or other bodily fluids to identify potential health issues. Common lab tests include a complete blood count (CBC), lipid profile, blood glucose levels, and liver and kidney function tests.
  3. Imaging: Imaging techniques, such as X-rays, ultrasound, CT scans, and MRIs, produce detailed images of the body's interior. These images can help detect tumors, bone fractures, and other abnormalities that may not be apparent during a physical exam.
  4. Specialised Screenings:
    • Gastroscopies: A flexible tube with a camera is used to examine the upper digestive tract, including the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, to diagnose conditions like ulcers, tumors, and infections.
    • Colonoscopies: A flexible tube with a camera is inserted into the colon and rectum to screen for colorectal cancer, polyps, and other abnormalities.
    • Bone Density Tests: To evaluate the risk of osteoporosis.
    • Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Tests: To screen for prostate cancer.
    • Electrocardiograms: To detect heart conditions.
    • Hearing and Vision Tests: To identify sensory impairments.

Why Early Detection is a Game Changer 

Early detection through health screening can be life-changing. By catching diseases at a more treatable stage, health screenings significantly boost prevention by identifying risk factors and monitoring health over time. For conditions like cancer, early detection can greatly improve survival rates, making it a critical step in safeguarding your health.

Why Do Men Have Shorter Lifespans?

Men’s health often lags behind women’s, with shorter life expectancy and higher morbidity and mortality rates. Globally, the life expectancy gap between men and women was 4.5 years in 1990 and stayed at 4.6 years by 2015. In Malaysia, a male born in 2017 is expected to live up to 72.7 years, while a female can expect 77.4 years. Despite slight improvements since 2011, men aged 15 to 65 face a death rate that’s twice as high as their female counterparts.1

What Every Man Should Watch For

Cardiovascular Disease
Heart-related conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, are among the most prevalent. Key contributing factors include unhealthy lifestyles, inadequate healthcare utilization, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity.
Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is a significant concern for Malaysian men, ranking among the top causes of cancer-related deaths. Possible causes include a diet high in red or processed meats, low fibre intake, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, inflammatory bowel disease, and genetic predispositions.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is another major issue, especially in men. It's primarily linked to smoking, which accounts for the majority of cases. Additional risks come from air pollution, occupational hazards such as exposure to asbestos and radon, and a family history of lung cancer.
Prostate Cancer
About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Early-stage prostate cancer often doesn’t present symptoms, making regular screening crucial. Risk factors include age (with risk increasing as men get older), family history, ethnicity (with higher prevalence in African American men), and lifestyle factors such as diet high in red meat and dairy products, as well as low physical activity.

 

Key Screenings Every Man Should Consider

1. Regular Blood Tests

These tests provide valuable insights into your overall health and can help detect various diseases and conditions early. Common regular blood tests include:

  • Complete Blood Count (CBC): Evaluates overall health and helps detect disorders like anemia, infections, and other diseases.
  • Lipid Profile: Measures cholesterol levels to assess the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
  • Blood Glucose Test: Screens for diabetes or prediabetes.
  • Liver and Kidney Function Tests: Monitors the health of these essential organs.

2. Cancer Marker Test

These tests measure specific substances in the blood, urine, or tissues that may indicate the presence of cancer, aiding in diagnosis and monitoring. Key cancer markers include:

  • Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) - Prostate Cancer Marker
  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) -  Colon Cancer Marker
  • Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) - Liver Cancer Marker
  • CA 19-9 - Pancreatic Cancer Marker
  • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) - Nose & Throat Cancer Marker

3. Cardiovascular Check-ups

These assessments are crucial for monitoring heart health and detecting potential issues early. Key components include:

  • Blood Pressure Measurement: Identifies hypertension..
  • Electrocardiogram: Detects irregular heart rhythms
  • Echocardiogram: Evaluates heart function and structure.
  • Stress Test: Assesses heart performance under physical exertion.
  • Cholesterol Test: Determines the risk of atherosclerosis and heart disease.

4. Ultrasound Abdomen & Pelvis

An ultrasound provides insights into various conditions and is useful for:

  • Persistent Abdominal Pain: Identifying the cause of chronic or acute pain.
  • Urinary system issues: Evaluating the bladder, kidneys, and urinary tract for stones, infections, or other abnormalities.
  • Prostate Health: Monitoring prostate size and detecting abnormalities.
  • Monitoring Chronic Conditions: Such as liver disease or gallstones.

 

Regular check-ups and early detection are critical for effective prevention and treatment. By staying ahead of potential health issues through these screenings, you can ensure a healthier future.

 

List of References

1. Asian J Androl. Profile of men's health in Malaysia: problems and challenges. National Library of Medicine. 2011 [NCBI]
2. American Cancer Society [cancer.org]

 

Back to Health Info